Czech Philharmonic led by Russian-born conductor Semyon Bytchkov performed in front of a sold out London’s Barbican Centre on Tuesday 15th. Ambassador Marie Chatardová was one the guests.

The evening started off with Rachmaninov’s "First Piano Concerto" delivered by Chinese star pianist Yuja Wang. The major part of the concert was then dedicated to Smetana’s „My Country“. Before the piece itself, Bytchkov, who himself is an emigrant of the Soviet Union and a vocal critic of the Russian aggression, delivered an emotional speech dedicated to Ukraine and the Philharmonic played the Ukrainian National Anthem.

The concert was well received by London critics, earning full stars review in The Times, which called it „magnificent, tireless playing of a glorious epic.

You can read the full review in here.